How to export home decor from the UK to China

Match the product and route before offering stock

For home decor, frames and ornaments, distinguish wooden frames, wooden ornaments and base-metal articles before pricing a shipment. The relevant HS6 codes are 4414-8306 (9 subheadings). Have the importer establish the requirements for each design and its intended route. GACC Decree 280 covers overseas food businesses, so its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to these goods.

UK exports under HS 4414-8306 (9 subheadings): HMRC recorded £549k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 9 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £728k, -24.6%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £805k.

January to July 2026: £201k against £404k in the same months of 2025 (-50.4%), for UK exports under HS 4414-8306 (9 subheadings). The largest UK export line was 44201900, wooden statuettes and ornaments excluding tropical wood and marquetry, at £215k in 2025 under HS 442019. This is an HS-code total, not a measure of your particular product.

Use the Chinese tariff line to negotiate a workable price

The listed Chinese tariff lines distinguish these designs. Radiata-pine frames under 44149010 have a 7% MFN rate and a provisional 2026 rate of 0%. Other wooden frames under 44149090 have a 7% MFN rate. Give your importer the material and product description needed to settle the line before negotiating its purchase price.

The standard import VAT rate is 13%, subject to reduced-rate and special rules. Its base is customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer’s customs adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to the product. These border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.

Prepare the UK declaration around the actual design

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and find the correct UK commodity code. Do not copy the Chinese tariff line into your UK paperwork without checking the UK classification. Describe the frame or ornament accurately, including the wood type or metal finish where it distinguishes the listed HS headings.

The online export declaration needs the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing-list references. Agree who will make it before dispatch. Supply the carrier with the invoice and any required export licences or certificates; have the importer’s customs broker confirm the Chinese shipment requirements for the particular design.

Check the wooden-line restrictions before choosing cross-border retail

The cross-border retail list matches only 44141000, 44149010, 44149090, 44201190, 44201990 and 44209090 within this category. Line 44149010 is limited to online bonded purchases. The other matched lines exclude goods listed in the wildlife species commodity catalogue if the specified non-catalogue species certificate cannot be provided. Identify the wood species and check that condition before choosing this route.

Eligible listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 channels receive personal-use supervision, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to the stated epidemic and emergency-risk exceptions. The overseas seller must appoint a mainland-registered business for customs registration, truthful declaration and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice and cannot resell the goods; transaction limits are RMB 5,000 and RMB 26,000 annually per person.

Find and check the Chinese buyer before committing stock

Ask a prospective importer which designs it wants, which Chinese tariff lines it proposes and whether it plans wholesale distribution or cross-border retail. For a wooden range, resolve the species and list restrictions before discussing that retail route. Compare its proposed purchase price with the duty and VAT treatment of the actual lines.

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service for this work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and, where required, the cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners in China; your brand’s own filings remain yours. Establish what the particular design requires before commissioning that work.